Francis Pangilinan
2001–incumbent | |
1988–1992 | |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party |
|---|---|
| Born: | August 24, 1963 Manila |
| Spouse: | Sharon Cuneta |
Francis "Kiko" Nepomuceno Pangilinan (born August 24, 1963) is a politician in the Philippines. He is currently a Senator and the Majority Leader of the Philippine Senate. He was elected Senator in the 2001 election.
Early life
Pangilinan was born on August 24, 1963 in Manila to Donato Pangilinan, an engineer and entrepreneur from Pampanga, and Emma Nepomuceno, a public school teacher from Nueva Ecija and Marinduque. He is the fifth child in a brood of nine. His siblings are Maricel Arenas, Angeli Valenciano, Nenette Zipperich, Joseph, Anthony, Felichi Buizon, John Raymund and Donna Simpao.
Kiko, as he is widely known, first made his mark as a young lawyer giving free legal assistance on-air and closely monitored case progress through the television program “Hoy Gising!” over ABS-CBN where he was a co-anchor and segment host. He also anchored radio programs, including “Batas” and “Relos Report with Atty. Kiko” over DZMM, programs aimed at making the Philippine’s legal court system more understandable to the masses by increasing their understanding of their rights and duties under the law.
In 1997, he left the country for Boston, U.S.A. along with his wife and daughter to pursue his Master’s in Public Administration at the Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government where he graduated with a general average of A-.[1]
After an 18-month hiatus from local broadcast media, he returned by conceptualizing and then hosting “Barangay Dos”, a service-oriented television program aired over ABS-CBN, dedicated to finding solutions to the everyday problems of the common Filipinos. The program established him as an intelligent, articulate, working, and involved lawyer and a media personality.[2]
Educational career
He had his elementary education at De La Salle College in 1978. On 1981, he had his secondary education still in De La Salle College.
He finished his college education and graduated in University of the Philippines, Diliman with a course in English, Major in Comparative Literature.[3]
It was during his college years at the University of the Philippines when his sense of nationalism deepened. A summer job working for his father in the hinterlands of Antique brought him face to face with the poverty and the impotence of government presence and basic services in the rural areas.
He served as chairman of the University of the Philippines Student Council in 1986 and was the first Student Regent of the UP Board of Regents in 1987. He was elected Philippine representative to the Committee on Youth Cooperation of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In 1997, he finished his post-graduate studies at the Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government with a degree of Master of Science in Public Administration with an area of concentration in Strategic Management.
Political career
He believes in active citizenship that is why his involvement in civic affairs began even as a student in high school.[citation needed] He has over 21 years of civic and public service experience. He was the youngest elected city councilor of the Quezon City Council in 1988-1992. [citation needed]During his stint as QC councilor, he saw the need to unite and develop young legislators committed to strong, principled leadership among young legislators. He thus founded and established the National Movement of Young Legislators (NMYL) where he became founding president. [citation needed]
He remained an active organizer of multi-sectoral groups fighting for the return of decency, competence, and accountability to national leadership.
Personal life
He is married to actress and TV personality Sharon Cuneta and the father of Simone Francesca Emmanuelle (Frankie) and Mariel Daniella Sophia (Miel) and Kristina Cassandra (KC).
References
External links
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